OK, OK, I admit it. It's been a long time since I've touched base with my beloved readers. I feel plenty guilty about it. But I've had good reason.

The last couple of years have been rife with family health issues that pulled my head in a direction far away from writing. Then, in August, I had a total hip replacement. I didn't think it would be a good idea to write through an opioid-induced fog. Actually, it might have been a good idea, but I didn't do it.

Now I'm off most drugs and my family's health is great. I'm eager to get back to writing.

The fourth book likely will not be about our intrepid reporter, Skeeter Hughes. She needs to take a break. No, the next one I'm calling THE WELCOMING COMMITTEE. Here's the premise.

A lady is 95 years-old and dying. She has outlived all her relatives and three bridge partners. She's been ready to die for a very long time.

She abruptly sits up in bed and says to her hospice nurse, "How are we going to feed all these people?"

"What people?" asks the nurse.

"There must be a 100 people there," says the old lady. "See them?"

"In my line of work that's what we call The Welcoming Committee," says the nurse.

The Welcoming Committee will explore the woman's life through the eyes of the people she has met during a time when women's lives have changed dramatically.

I was delighted to be invited as the the 2016 author to meet with the Wellesley-Stanford Book Club recently on one of the warm winter nights at the lovely home of Therese Sexe in St. Paul.When I was invited I first thought the name of the club reflected an alumni association. But no. Wellesley-Stanford is the name of the neighborhood, although an alum or two may live there.

Common Good Books in St. Paul provided the members copies of WHERE'S BILLIE? at a discount.The questions were wide-ranging.

When you were a reporter for the St. Paul Pioneer Press did you ever do some of the things Skeeter (the reporter protagonist) did?

Where do you get your ideas?

The book talks about Land o'Lakes, Minnesota. Is there a real city where the book is set?

How long did it take you to write the book?

Do you outline before you write, or just sit down and write?

As you can see from the pictures below, the food was as delicious as the questions.

See anyone you know in these shots? Unfortunately, we couldn't get everyone in the photos. Maybe next year.

I'm looking forward to chatting with mystery readers Wednesday 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the November 5 meeting of Totally Criminal Cocktails at the Dock Cafe in Stillwater. This will be my third visit with the delightful group of readers who always provoke lively discussion and ask great questions. Reservations are required; call Valley Bookseller at 651-430-3385. Delicious appetizers cost $10 and there's a cash bar.